Save lives from your living room

We caught up with NSRI Drowning Prevention Manager Andrew Ingram to learn more about the new beach camera volunteer programme being piloted in Herolds Bay.

Beach cameras are not a new idea, Andrew Ingram, NSRI’s Drowning Prevention Manager, is quick to point out. Several South African beaches already have ‘live-cams’, and beach cameras have been used in other countries to support sea rescue efforts for some time.

Yet, when NSRI’s camera project was initiated in 2020, it was the first such project specifically geared towards sea rescue and beach safety. Elevated cameras overlooking the beach can spot rip currents, sharks, and also monitor areas where lifeguards are not on active duty.

The first PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera was put up in Strand in Cape Town, followed by Bloubergstrand, and then Herolds Bay along the Garden Route – all notoriously dangerous beaches. Plettenberg Bay and Buffalo Bay have been identified as the next locations for beach camera installation. Two recent incidents illustrate the value of these cameras.

Earlier this year, some teachers brought primary school students down to Herolds Bay beach to play. It was a stormy day, and the surf was huge, ensuring a strong back-wash that could easily sweep a child out to sea. The children were playing in the surf, and the teachers looked on, unaware of the danger. Thankfully, as there were no lifeguards on duty, the NSRI’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was on high alert and the beach camera operator could monitor the children. A Herolds Bay-based volunteer was able to rush down to the beach and warn the teachers, and a potential crisis was averted.

The second incident occurred in October, when two children got caught in a rip current. A couple of good Samaritans, who were strong swimmers noticed, grabbed the nearby Pink Rescue Buoy from its stand, paddled out and managed to rescue the children, who made a complete recovery. The camera operator observed the entire incident and was able to inform the rescue crew – who were on their way to assist – that they were no longer needed for the rescue, but that one youngster needed medical treatment.

Now that the cameras have more than proved their value, Andrew is able to move on to the next phase of his vision: to build a network of beach camera volunteers that operate in tandem with the NSRI rescue and shore crews. Herolds Bay was selected to pilot the first camera volunteer programme.

“We want to expand the scope of how people can volunteer,” says Andrew. “Rescue volunteerism is very demanding on time and energy, and the scope is quite narrow in terms of who has the capacity to participate. But virtually anyone can become a beach camera volunteer. All you need is a home computer and a high-speed internet connection. In September, we put out a call for volunteers on our social media channels, targeting Herolds Bay residents and surrounds. The response was impressive – we’ve received a lot of positive feedback, and 29 residents have applied to volunteer. Next, we’ll be running background checks, beginning the onboarding process, and then commencing training.

“We’re in the process of putting together training materials, but essentially there will be a manual with instructions on how to use the cameras via Microsoft Teams, and we’ll run the volunteers through protocols with the relevant NSRI crews, emergency services, and so on. Training will be ongoing, and will also run in tandem with NSRI training so that we can incorporate scenario-based training in real-time. Once operational, the camera volunteers will work in shifts, mostly on weekends and over holidays, in collaboration with first responders.”

Once the Herolds Bay pilot programme is up and running, similar programmes will be rolled out in Strand, Blouberg, Plettenberg Bay and Buffalo Bay. So, if you find yourself on any of these beaches come the December holidays, smile – you’re on camera!